Tear Drop Winken: What I Get for NOT Riding, A NEW FRIEND!

New favorite picture. Taken by Kate from Polar Square Designs! Check her out for all your Christmas needs.

One week down, one week to go. I love the horses I'm taking care of. When you get a chance check out SANTANA Rescue Center's website. Awesome stories about awesome horses. I've been taking care of them for the past week, now on to week #2! Yes it's time consuming but I love it and still have time to feed the horses at Melody!

I worked on Saturday and Sunday we had a new arrival!

Natalie is a first time horse owner who after a fall out from a lease found "Comicbook", a 13-year-old OTTB. As us OTTB lovers say, it only takes one ride. She went to try another horse and half way through the ride made the decision. Comic had to be hers! It's only been a couple days and you can see a bond building between the two.

Melody is a new place for both of them and we are so happy and thankful to have them!

Especially Lucy

Comic expressing his manliness.

"DID YOU SEE THAT?!"

Brantley looking not so amused.

Aw, looooove <3 Natalie & Comic

That afternoon I jumped on B for the first time in at least 4 days... What I got was a very forward pony who couldn't get Lucy out of his cross-hairs. Lucy was looking more fantastic with A as she has in a long time (Check out Amanda's Blog - http://showbraider.blogspot.com/). I think she's finally getting back into work mode and liking it! After Lu and A seemed to be done with their workout I asked B to pick up a canter and his response was, "F*** YOU!" It was first time he "bucked" out of the I-Don't-Wanna category, less of the over-excited/freak-out type. He wanted to be with Lucy. We took up a few strides at the lope after bending him to into the fence and getting him to disengage his hind end plus give it up at the poll. We ended on a good note, but he was still dubbed the "Problem Child" of the night.

The last couple of days since the weekend and coming back from the Equine Affaire have been pretty rough. I've been very hostile due to some family issues (Thanksgiving is coming) as well as some friend stuff. Long story short, was supposed to meet a few people I grew up with, couldn't because I was tired and woke up late, then basically got told off that I was non-reliable and a bad friend. Ouch... I've been the same since I started into horses. My response consisted of, "I'm sorry you feel that way. It's not going to change." Especially when I've been the way I am with my priorities since before I can remember. Well, it's been hitting me pretty hard plus some other things (because it's never just one thing) and sleeping is not an option I guess. My brain just doesn't want to shut off and forget about it and unfortunately I've dragged it into work the last two days.

Last night after walking Dustin around, I pulled out B and his hind legs looked a bit swollen so I did some ground work with him. He was just a little stocked up but my brain was not in "work your pony" mode. Thought I'd skip any source of frustration and it worked out. I pulled the stirrups off E's saddle and strapped his quarter sheet on. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM! YAY!

Today they let me go early from work so I went to feed the Santana ponies and then headed to the barn. Breathing exercises! Grabbed my helmet and met K and N who were riding in the indoor. It was great to see N riding Comic for the first time since they moved in. K, happy to be on her pony, as always noticed right away I was a little... Odd. Not like I try to hide it from anyone. When you're pissed, you're pissed. I didn't feel like arguing with Dustin's saddle so I just jumped on him with his blanket and walked around the indoor while the girls rode... Filled them in on the situation and let's just say, I felt better and took my pony for a ride.

I tried to warm up longer because of the temperature drop... Plus I think that's why he may have been a little nasty the other night.

We finally picked up a trot, did some changes in direction, then I introduced my favorite exercise ever! (LB loved it too) Shorten on the short side, lengthen on the long side. He got the hang of it really well. After we did some halting off thigh pressure and my seat, then backing up. Lot's to work on in the backing department. I asked him to pick up a lope and he decided every few strides he wanted to speed up. Usually I would pull him back and tell him to go easy... Nah! Hands up, seat forward, YA MULE! YA! I think we didn't even pick up more than a handle gallop around the ring but he was great! Came right back down when I asked.

During our cool out I decided to work on some stuff I started a few weeks ago... Drop the reins, grab some mane, and lead him where you want him to go. I used my legs and seat to ask him to turn around and go in a certain direction then lead straight out of the turn. BEST HE'S EVER DONE!!!

Couldn't be happier with how tonight ended. I love my new friends :)